Let’s continue along the theme of integrating thoughts and impressions about Native Wisdom, Extra-Terrestrial life and beings, and my personal (perhaps unconventional) experience of Vajrayana Buddhism… I recently posted about this in “Disclosure, Mandalas, Heruka” and “One River” …

I received a little more on this from Heruka yesterday, which I’ll share below. I was also struck that after I published a post before going to bed last night, Ghost Radar produced these words almost immediately and in quick succession: [He-He-Ru-Ru-Kham (this is part of Heruka’s mantra) traffic experiment very-subtle-mind points-of-light Hopi threw past-tense Google Vajrayogini (another Vajrayana deity) crowd (as in Mandala or Field of Merit?) strip larger fiction slight time-warp element stove string swimming Catherine news rather Airl deaf 5 hiker shells lack virtuous behavior stone generally (the previous words all flowed out over the span of just under an hour) Bronwen Luke offer grandfather].

I’ve also been spending some time on studying the prayer practice I was taught for Heruka years ago, and this is the one I’ve used for 12 years now. I’m getting that He wants to use this practice as a way to show these connections, so I’ve started taking notes on this… that project is going to take a while. But I digress. Anyway, these prayers are called a “sadhana” in Sanskrit, so now that you know that you’ll understand what’s referred to below.

(The following is from 21 March 2014)

Heruka, can we talk about your sadhana, meditation, citites of light, mandalas, and what can appear here in physical?

Yes. Please take the chart, it clears your mind.

I sense the presence of the Field of Merit…

Yes – well, some very specific members. Let’s go.

Om.

One might say that only certain people can see what’s really here. You get the image of a city filled with blind people who cannot see the spirits. Even more subtle are certain energies. It’s alright for different beings to perceive in different ways, while all are still seeing from the same reference point of inhabiting a human (physical) body.

Yes: Not all humanoid bodies here are human.

No: The “Cities of Light” as you call them, will not appear in physical as long as there are nations or other abstract entities that maintain armies.

Yes. But it’s a bit of a chicken and egg scenario – which came first, your feeling drawn to that book and film, or the situation we’re describing? That feeling of familiarity is a cue to look deeper.

Back to Cities of Light. Too much is at stake to risk having these loci [proton] manifest in this realm as long as there is violence. Weapons can be symbolic (as implements) [reason] and can be held [spell] without violence. But not armies.

There’s another aspect of an army, a military force, that is just as degenerate as the fear and compulsion that militaries represent. That is a motivation that some might have to join a military force as a means of benefitting materially or personally.

Give four years of one’s life and get an education, a pension, and non-discriminate benefits throughout one’s life. A bit of a free ticket for selling one’s soul.

This is another prevalent mindset that is just as destructive and limting as war. It represents an inclination towards despair coupled with a sense of entitlement, both of which reflect a lack of accepting responsibility for one’s own life. It generally comes not from bad intentions so much as ignorance. And it’s just [better] as effective as war, at numbing the mind.

A numb mind is easily controlled and manipulated.

So people would do better to look for peace and reconciliation between “nations” [thee] before expecting Cities of Light to appear to the eyes of all inhabitants.

The work of people striving to transform science and industry [needle] towards Unity, Equality, Freedom, and Understanding are Next Steps in this world. These must be established well before this world will be ready for any sustained [aloha] presence of anything so powerful yet delicate as a City of Light can be maintained.

So, if you manage to perceive these dreams of peace, even on a subtle level, while in this world, that moves you in the right direction. Please hold these dreams dear in your hearts, and continue to envision them as someday manifesting in your “real” world. Every little bit helps.

Meanwhile, visiting them during dreams and meditation is valid and restorative.

You can use the concept of a City of Light as an object of mindfulness meditation. Place in front of your mind your expectation of what a “City of Light” might be, and examine your expectations – for they are a very powerful part of your mind! – closely, deeply and dispassionately. What are you really asking for?

Envision Peace. Regard any perception of “enemy” or “other” as a flaw in your perception, and work diligently to erase that energy from your field of influence.

Meditate. Watch your thoughts as you move through your day. Build your perfect world from the outside in and from the inside out. Mentally first, energetically second, physically last.

To expect a physical manifestation before the mind and heart are prepared is [sudden] tantamount to putting the cart before the horse. You won’t get anywhere but frustrated.

Now we’re at March 22, and I’m wondering what you wanted to say about the sadhana…

Yes. When we started out, you thought I was going to give you a translation, so to speak, for your present day, time, and culture. Now you’re seeing that it’s more a matter of my wishing to share with you and others the meaning and significance of the steps of the practice.

You are now beginning to see that there is a relationship between the 3D-modeling studies you’ve been doing of tetrahedra gathered to enclose octahedra. Look at Nassim Haramein’s work, the tetragrammaton; each encloses an octahedron. Haramein says the tetragrammaton is a valid representation of “the vacuum”, which I’m telling you may be likened to Emptiness, Ultimate Nature. Does Haramein mention that there is an octahedron enclosed? For that shape represents Earth, does it not? How about that.

And you see that these forms also construct the Mandala. From Emptiness into Form. And back again, in phases. The physicists understand much, but there is ar more to come…

So as we continue on looking at the sadhana I will explain more about how the various steps bear relevance to your situation in this world today, how you can see the stages of the practice as symbolic of actions and views you can adopt in everyday life as a way of transforming the appearance of a distorted confusing world into a blissful experience. But for now, the physical beckons and you need to go get your car serviced. We will talk more about this soon.

Like this:

(Note from Leslee:This began as a journal entry this morning, as I was venting to my guides about some current frustrations, mostly related my confusion about how and when our Friends might appear here on Earth (Whether that means ETs landing or some major Earth-paradigm shift) . I’ve edited out the profanity and most of the rant…) Ghost Radar words in [brackets like this].

[transmittance]

I’m requesting all the Crew: Buddhas, ETs, whatever you are… [small] I sit here, feeling the intense energies plowing through my consciousness and body, and wondering what is the point. I think we need to stop playing this game; I’m tired. I don’t like ignorance and insensitivity, and I don’t like [forth] having to deal with this swamp that steams and stews of fear and [gave] isolation, separation. [inner-circle] I thought all [tears] of this was leading to some…

ROADTRIPPIN’ WITH HERUKA

One day, while I was working with Mimmakkme, she said, “Go ahead and have your lunch, because someone wants to talk with you afterwards”.

Who?

“Heruka wants to speak with you.”

That lunch went quickly.

And so we began. He spent some time answering many questions I had about why my life had gone the way it had, roles that certain people had played in my life, etc. I told Him that I was so grateful to have made this contact, and that I wanted to do whatever was needed to make the most progress possible and help as many people as possible. He asked:

“Are you willing to do whatever I say, no matter how crazy it sounds, no matter what?”

I thought for a few moments… I had seen enough movies and read enough stories to imagine some of the possibilities this could entail…

Yes.

I knew if I passed this opportunity up, I was sunk. Worse than Christian Hell.

“Okay, then. Let’s get to work.”

And so we began. He told me some things and gave me some instructions that are probably best not shared in detail here. At least nothing was illegal.

So let’s just skip ahead and say that within a week or so, I found myself sitting in admissions at a local mental health facility, filling out a form saying that the only people who could contact me were my younger brother, Barack Obama, and Oprah Winfrey.

Really.

And explaining to the attendant what all the Buddhist books and implements in my suitcase were (Turned out, he knew a little about some of them. Hmmm…).

And that I was talking directly to Buddhas with a pendulum.

They took my pendulum for safekeeping (they’re dangerous, you know), but I managed to hide my prayer beads.

Little did they know, prayer beads can be used as a pendulum, too. So can a kitchen towel, if need be.

That week down the rabbit hole was one of the longest weeks of my life (so far), but if you read my posts about how we can perceive everyone around us as Enlightened Beings, perhaps you can imagine how eye-opening and instructive – and inspiring – that week was.

Here are some tips, in case you ever find yourself in a similar situation and want to leave as quickly as possible:

Don’t tell a psychiatrist that you channel.

Don’t tell the staff that we’re all surrounded by Enlightened Beings.

Don’t refuse to take your meds – they won’t let you go home until you’ve taken them for a few days.

(It’ll be alright, really.)

Eat whatever they offer you (unless you’re allergic, of course).

(It’ll be alright, really.)

When the psych asks you if you still believe you can talk to invisible beings, just tell them what they want to hear: “No, I understand now that I was just under a lot of stress.”

(That particular lying karma is going to be really easy to clear)

Do not be afraid of the other patients; your presence helps them.

(I’m so glad I can smile now as I write this!)

By the end of the week, my brother had rescued me (Obama and Oprah never got the message, I suppose… I blame the Secret Service ;), and I headed off to my new home.

As if that wasn’t enough… I had no idea what was in store for me next.

I had just begun to settle in there, secretly channeling whenever I could, when one day, Heruka told me to go buy some notebook paper. We were going to begin a book. And Heruka explained that it was going to be a book of channeled material.

From Seth.

I’ve always been a huge fan of The Seth Material books, so I was thrilled! And sure enough, Seth began to dictate material to me, in a manner almost identical to how Jane Roberts had done. Minus the beer and cigarettes. My stimuli were black coffee and chocolate.

Within two days, I had 24 pages of handwritten notes that were the beginnings of All About Enlightenment.

The next step was to contact the publishers, and jubilantly inform them that Seth was appearing again and offering more material. I took me a little while to track them down, but I did. And I followed Seth’s instructions to the letter.

I mailed the first pages to the publisher. Of course, their website was very clear that they were not accepting new manuscripts, but I knew this would be the exception.

A couple weeks later, I got a very brief, polite and formal letter from the publishers, informing me that Seth had given instructions that he would never channel through anyone but Jane (who is now deceased), and that, in so many words, they really didn’t have time to deal with all the letters they got from people claiming to be channeling Seth… Oh, and by the way, I was free to go ahead and try to publish. But I might be hearing from their attorneys…

As I sat in my car at the post office, reading the letter, a bit stunned (and of course disappointed), I sighed and took out my pendulum.

Okay, what’s going on here?

“We just want you to get used to rejection letters. And not being attached to outcomes.”

Okay, so we go through all this – and now, what does Seth have to say about it?

“Seth?”

Yeah! You know: Seth!?!

(soft, mischievous chuckle)

Wait! You mean it’s been YOU all the time???

Heruka was having great fun with me. Damn. He does an amazing Seth impersonation. His energy even felt different.

Wait. You can impersonate Seth… Whom else can you impersonate?

(silence)

You mean those demons were YOU???

(silence)

Once you finally GET that you are protected, and that everything appears is a manifestation of your spiritual guide, things will get a lot easier, Leslee. Just trust.

At that point, we began working on the book in earnest. Within 6 weeks, I had a hundred page manuscript typed, and had even edited it.

The material was amazing – truly amazing – and none of it was (is) mine.

I had painstakingly transcribed every word exactly as it had come from Heruka and all the other Buddhas. I had checked and double-checked on intended meanings and word choices. I had worn out three charts and broken two pendulums.

And, aside from the content’s message, it was the most stilted, dry, incredibly boring book I had ever read.

I was instructed through designing a cover and printing several copies. Despite the heaviness of the book’s “voice”, I was thrilled that we had finished. And I was certain that finding a publisher or someone to fund self-publishing would be a snap.

Did I say “certain”?

I think I’ve shared this in other posts: I’ve since learned that any time I think I’m certain about something, I’m certainly “mistaken”.

Publishing? First, I had to cross a much more treacherous bridge. I had to somehow begin to tell people what I’d been doing for the past three months. And I argued with Heruka for two weeks over whether I really had to tell my parents.

When I look back on that time now, I enjoy a good laugh. My Mom loves the book, even if she doesn’t understand it all. My Dad just patiently accepts. My son shrugs – he already knows most of this anyway. As long as he gets his allowance, he can take the embarrassment. And no one has suggested that we take a ride to talk to the doctor.

No mistake: The world is definitely changing.

So I began sharing my new world with people. A few friends gave me some wonderful feedback, but in my heart, I felt the book was too stiff and solemn to have any appeal. I continually asked, “Is the wording really alright?” Heruka consistently said that it was necessary to respect the transmission – verbatim.

Finally, one day, as I was handing a copy to a friend, I realized I was embarrassed (danger sign). What was embarrassing?

The book was depressing. This path is not depressing. It didn’t align.

It was almost entirely written in a passive voice, with a negative tone. It projected a sense of impending doom if we didn’t ALL immediately start following our spiritual paths with utmost sincerity. The chances of that happening seemed dismal.

It reminded me of the tradition I’d left.

So I went home and had a talk with Heruka. I was frustrated.

What now? I can’t pitch this book! Actually, this book shouldn’t even need pitching. Nobody’s gonna want to read this. Something’s not right.

“So, you take a shot at it.”

But I can’t mess with Your words!

“Take a shot.”

I spent an evening re-writing one of the chapters. It ended up being a third of the length of the original chapter, and I felt incredibly energized and positive about it.

“See? You’re a better writer than your spiritual guides.”

You know, it’s amazing some of the things that our guides (and parents) do for us to boost our confidence and self-esteem. They are so incredibly patient. We had just spent months on a manuscript that They knew would have to be completely re-written. But They wanted me to feel the greatest possible resonance with the words.

I also struggled with fear. Fear of things so crazy that I won’t even enumerate them. Fear of some of the outlandish things that might transpire if I really tried to share this material with people. I needed an attorney. I needed thousands of dollars. I needed to read up on the copyright laws. It would take years to find people I could trust.

I was truly concerned that Heruka and Lhamo Dorje’s words would never meet more than a few pairs of eyes.

Then, one night, They told me that actually, we would do several versions of the book. One would be a very beautiful, hand-bound edition, and one would be a very affordable paperback. I liked that a lot.

But oh, yeah, there would be a third version: a free one, on the internet.

Huh? I had no idea how that could be possible.

Around noon, on January 14, 2011, Heruka had me follow a link to what turned out to be a blog. I had been hearing about blogs for a few months, because I had a friend who kept forwarding some to me. After I read the post, I could tell that Heruka wanted to talk to me.

“We want you make your first blog post before you go to bed tonight.”

Very funny. I was certain He was joking. (get it? “certain”?)

I spent almost two hours on WordPress.ORG (please don’t try this at home…), trying to figure out how the hosting thing worked, before I finally called a friend who I knew had a blog. I was panicked. There was no way…

My friend pointed me to wp.COM, and things got a lot easier.

Fortunately, we had just finished creating the “graphic novel” version of the book, Hurtling Towards Enlightenment, so I had a number of posts ready to go. Somehow, just before midnight that night, I clicked the “publish” button, and the welcome page was up for all to see.

Six months earlier, I would have said that I had no idea how that could be possible. I’m beginning to understand that anything is possible.

Using the pendulum, Heruka went on to teach me how to make videos and my own pendulums. I’ll write more about how this actually works (for me, at least), in the next part (s?) of this series.

Here’s the point I’d like to make: We can all accomplish things beyond our wildest imaginings, if we have trust and faith in ourselves, and that we’re guided.

I suspect that your experiences will be very different than mine, in the way these lessons and steps might manifest for you. I suspect that they will be very much like mine, in the joy and peace of mind they’ll bring you.

So, if you enjoy the words we share, our Guides deserve all the credit. And if the compositions or grammar fail, I take responsibility. Either way, if the little spiritual light-bulb goes off for even a few people, then it’s all most certainly worth it.

I deeply and joyously look forward to hearing about your experiences and progress. We all thank you for reading.

We’re covering new material on ‘Buddhism’ in this book, and in some ways we’re hesitant even to refer to it as ‘Buddhism’. However, the word ‘Buddhism’ (and everything associated with that word) comes closest to giving the average reader some idea of the direction we’re taking with the material we’re presenting.

Our author, Leslee Hare, is no stranger to Buddhist thought, although she considers herself far from being a scholar of Buddhist philosophy. She’s read many books on Buddhism and has studied several in detail. She’s acquainted with Dzogchen, New Kadampa, Nyingma, Ri-Mé, Tibetan and Zen, and most of her study and practice have been focused on the Vajrayana Path. She’s also studied, although in less depth, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, New Age Thought, Shamanism, Toltec Sorcery, and Yoga. As you read through this book, you’ll detect influences from many of these. That’s why, to the minds of some, we should not classify this book as Buddhist.

However, each book needs classification, and this material originates from Enlightened Beings or Buddhas, so ‘Buddhism’ fits best.

Many times throughout the history of Buddhism, practitioners have faced criticism and ridicule because they dared to tell people that they have an understanding of Buddhism which goes against the accepted norm. Some lineages and cultures accept anomalies like these, just as some minds are more open. As Westerners have accepted nominal Buddhism in its many forms, they’ve also developed particular expectations about certain forms of Buddhism.

In many popular Buddhist stories, we find adepts known as ‘Mahasiddhas’ who fit this category of following very unconventional paths to Enlightenment. History documents some of these Mahasiddhas’ lives as human beings. Some of the tales of the Mahasiddhas are considered to be mere legend, and at best, metaphors. In each case, though, there is something remarkable and unusual about the Mahasiddha’s point of view and method of practice, and they were often considered (before being recognized as Adepts) to be mad, delusional, or just eccentric by the standards of their contemporary society. Oftentimes the Mahasiddhas were not recognized until after the deaths of their ‘ordinary’ human bodies.

So the classic tales of the Mahasiddhas come to you now from across the safe distance of centuries. They have become mellowed and embellished by many years of telling and transcribing, and are often studied more as anecdotes rather than examples of a way one might actually practice Buddhism.

We’d like to propose to you that the world is ripe for a fresh round of Mahasiddha activity.

We know that there are more highly-realized beings in this world right now than there have been in many previous centuries, combined. We know that these beings are looking for a cue – that one drop of water to land on the seed so it can germinate. This book is one of those drops of water. If you absorb the contents of this book, you may find yourself on a lightning-fast Vajra Path to a world and state of being that up until now you only imagined existed.

There are two traits that all of the Mahasiddhas had in common. They all had both immovable faith in their Spiritual Guides, and unquestionable certainty that by following their Guides’ instructions, They could – eventually – attain Enlightenment. These are the two traits which are most needed in today’s spiritual practitioner (although qualified teachers help tremendously as well), and they are rare to find in current culture. They may also prove rare to find among readers of this book, but we doubt that. We believe that if you’re reading this book, you have been drawn to it by your natural inclination to want to know the truth, and to discover it for yourself.

Actually, without these two traits, you cannot attain Enlightenment. Why? Because without them, it’s only ‘you’ trying to figure it out on your own, and if that were possible you would have done it already. No one can attain Enlightenment alone; part of the nature of your being is that you are inextricably connected to others. When you operate as if that connection does not exist, you’re denying an essential aspect and understanding of your very nature. Enlightenment is about accepting your nature, not resisting it.

We believe you may find your truth in this book, and we make all prayers that you will. We hope that you will come to believe that your own Enlightenment is possible, and also that it is imminent. Purity is hard to recognize in this world, but it does exist. True Paths seem hard to find in this world, but they beckon. If you find one grain of truth for yourself in this book, then please take it and run with it. If all you come away with is a better understanding of some good reasons not to harm others, then we’ve still done our job.

This world has entered a new age of miracles. Your ‘miracles’ may seem matter-of-fact and under-stated by comparison to those of the Mahasiddhas, because a jaded society does not entertain that kind of flamboyance with much tolerance. But your miracles’ effects will be the same: they will change minds, shift karma, and bring Enlightenment. So please continue your path with courage and confidence, and know that we abide in the wings, helping at every moment. The more you request, the more we can offer.

One more request we have is that you pray. Praying purifies karma and creates merit, but most of all it strengthens the connection you have with us. Pray for whatever you want, and we can sort out the details.

So now we leave you to dive in and ponder what you’ll find here. Thank you for reading however much you read, and for practicing however much you choose to practice. We’re very happy to have found you again, and are delighted that we could connect once more. And thank you for all your help.

As I’ve come to know Him better, I’ve learned that He often takes on countless forms besides the traditional ones, and some still surprise and shock me. But in every instance of my experience with Heruka, I’ve benefited immensely.

His laugh rolls like thunder, His tears pour like a river, and His touch can ignite even the most deeply sleeping spark of life.

All About Emptiness…

A Buddhist Example

We can find many examples we can use to contemplate Emptiness… a book, our laundry… This example comes from traditional Tibetan Buddhist iconography.

Some Vajrayana Buddhist lineages include the prayer practice of the deity Heruka Chakrasamvara.

This ‘entity’, often depicted in statues or paintings, represents an Enlightened Being with two components: Heruka and Vajravarahi; man and woman; bliss and emptiness. The appearance is of a male and a female in union, and in Tibetan Buddhism they usually also includes numerous implements, limbs, and ornaments that raise many eyebrows among Westerners.

The image intends to represent an abstract concept: Enlightenment. The inseparable union of bliss and emptiness. When looking at a statue, especially, one can easily perceive the appearance of two people… having sex.

In truth, Chakrasamvara merely represents a Oneness that is almost impossible to communicate in conventional terms.

Trying to gain an understanding of this idea offers a great opportunity to gain an understanding of Emptiness.

Human beings like to break things down into manageable chunks. Chunks of land; chunks of food; chunks of meaning.

You could say that Chakrasamvara is two chunks of one Enlightened Being.

This view works pretty well, because humans also seem to think that happiness and its object are separate. Bliss and Emptiness can easily be confused as two separate realizations.

Cast metal statues of Chakrasamvara depict this union particularly well: such a statue appears to depict two figures, but it’s one chunk of Enlightened metal. Look closely; you can’t find where Heruka ends and Vajravarahi begins.

They’re inseparable. That’s why they’re always depicted in union. You can try to give them two bodies, but you really can’t tear them apart.

Philosophers often describe this world as a duality. Humans tend to categorize… the world more or less requires it.

We make sense of it best when we put things into dual categories: either/or… good/bad… right/wrong… rich/poor… male/female, etc.

Like language and naming things, categories function to allow people to communicate in meaningful ways. It’s all very clever… it’s all construct.

Consider this: if people did not feel they were separate from one another, would they need to “communicate”?

Bliss arises when we overcome this sense of separation.

God(s) did create this world of duality. Then God(s) put man in it and encouraged him to name things. And thus, separation – and thereby duality – was born. God(s) also took things a step further and created woman. More duality.

Men and women seem to come together, but inevitably they appear to separate again. More duality. On it continues: people have children. Children turn into adults. Adults form groups, clubs, nations. All of these are nothing more than methods of distinction, devices humans use to group things together and tell things apart.

That’s how this world has worked for eons.

God(s) created the world, and the rules. This world wants you to believe that you have to follow the rules to get by.

But you want to do more than get by, don’t you? The secret is that you will only truly thrive, while you’re in this world, once you begin to view it as the construct that it is. Then you can start to bend the rules and even have a little fun… until you finally step out.

I say ‘bend the rules’ because you do have to observe them as long as you’re here. Even for Enlightened Beings who have emanated here, their emanations still speak, grow older, and submit to the effects of gravity in order to function here. At least most of them do. It’s just more convenient that way.

Once you figure it out and have had enough, you can get out of this place and never come back, if that’s your wish.

This place is tough. The rules are demanding, and the veils are many. It’s not the most pleasant place to be born or emanated into. It’s like boot camp, though: once you get out, you are ready to take on anything.

So, Chakrasamvara seems to represent two (somewhat) recognizable beings because if Enlightened Beings appear in forms that are familiar to humans, they get our attention. Chakrasamvara wants your full attention, so Chakrasamvara also shows you sex.

Please keep in mind that everything in this world also has a dual way of existing: its conventional reality, and its ultimate reality.

Conventional reality is the way you view things in order to get by in this world and communicate with others; it adheres to the construct. Ultimate reality is the way all things actually exist: Emptiness. All things are empty of independent existence.

An Everyday Example Of A Book

A book offers a more familiar example of Emptiness (than the example of the statue).

Let’s suppose that as you’re reading this you’re holding a printed book. The ‘printed book’ (in quotations, in case you’re listening to the book or it’s a digital copy) is the conventional reality of your object of experience.

You think of it as, and call it, a ‘printed book’ in case you need to tell someone else about it.

Now, this conventional reality of the printed book also has a subtle version, which is made up of the parts of the book: the pages, the cover, the glue or stitching, the ink printed onto the pages to form the words that you then read… and the book has also become part of your mind. Cool, huh?

What is the Emptiness of the book, its ultimate reality? The Emptiness of the book is that the book does not exist independently, by itself.

No matter how hard you look, you will not find a book that is constant, unchanging.

Something appears of in front of you that looks like a book; you call it a book, and others would recognize it as a book, so it functions as a book. But the book is made of matter that is made of molecules that are made of atoms that are mostly space. Also, when you hand that book to someone, some molecules of the cover ink will stay on your hand.

And the person who takes the book from you also picks up some molecules, maybe of a page as they flip through the book. Now suppose the book passes on to twenty more people, and over time it becomes quite worn because it’s lost so many molecules to so many hands. And those hands have long since been washed…

So where IS the book?

Conventionally, it still exists somewhere, hopefully not in a landfill. Ultimately, it remains as empty before. The main difference is that your mind has moved towards freedom.

An Everyday Example Of Laundry

I’ll give you another example of Emptiness, one you can remember often. This is important, because grasping Emptiness often eludes us (pun intended). It helps to find regular reminders, and come up with your own examples.

Let’s assume you have a plaid cotton shirt. Let’s say it’s your favorite shirt, so you wear it often. Your friends know it’s your favorite, and everyone else knows it’s a shirt, and many of those people might know it’s made of cotton.

You can’t bear the thought that someday that cotton shirt will become so worn that you’ll discard it. But every time you put it on, it leaves a little lint on your body. And if you sweat on it, a little of your body gets left on the shirt.

So then, is it still your favorite plaid cotton shirt?

Or is it you and your favorite plaid cotton shirt?

Or is it just empty?

Let’s say you sweat on the shirt enough that you decide it needs cleaning. You put it in the laundry, where it loses more lint, and gains water and detergent and fragrance. Where is the shirt now? Now let’s say you put it through the dryer, and when it’s done, you retrieve what still functions as your favorite plaid cotton shirt, and you go on to wear it again and again.

But, as you clean the dryer lint screen, you notice that the lint is the same color as your shirt. Ultimately, where is the favorite plaid cotton shirt that until now existed independently of everything else?

It cannot be found, and never truly existed.

Now you can think of Emptiness every time you do your laundry, or put on your favorite shirt.

Whenever something troubles you, try to think of ways in which it is Empty. Maybe it’s your boss, or bad traffic (try to find the car that started the bad traffic and you’ll find the Emptiness of the bad traffic), or the weather, or your partner (or lack of partner).

You can use everything as an example, because everything is Empty. Start by indentifying the object. Then try to find its parts. Then try to find the parts of the parts. Take it all the way down to the molecules and atoms, if you like.

But please remember that even images of electrons are conventions, representations…

Please also do take breaks. Don’t exhaust yourself through contemplating Emptiness. Go out and enjoy yourself. Then, when you are ready for your next round of Emptiness contemplation, reflect on what you enjoyed.

Try to find a single form of pleasure that exists by itself and separately from everything else. If it’s separate, what is it separate from?

As you accustom yourself to looking at and for Emptiness, it will become familiar to you, so that the looking won’t seem exhausting. Eventually it will become a constant state of awareness, and you will have realized Emptiness.

The Great Bliss comes as you start to notice Emptiness in everything. You may feel like a kid in a candy shop when this starts to happen.

Whether you burst out giggling is entirely up to you…

It’s also up to you whether you remember the rules of convention, and whether or not you’re still interested in following them.

So now you know why there appear to be two of Us – it gives Us something to talk with you about. Please enjoy all your meditations on Emptiness, and try to think of Us often.